Herb Immortal Sect’s Medicine Purchase Turmoil

"What?!" Evan Yang exclaimed in shock.

"That's why I'm warning you not to get close to him," Kong Zhi replied.

Evan Yang pondered for a moment and then asked, "Is he really always being followed?"

"Yeah, he is now," Kong Zhi answered.

"Did he ever disappear for a while before?" Evan Yang knew the Old Beggar had visited his continent; if he'd been followed, Evan would have been assassinated long ago.

"I think so. Everyone thought he died back then, but he reappeared over ten years ago," Kong Zhi replied after thinking for a moment.

"So that's how it is," Evan Yang muttered, understanding now.

"Why are you so interested in him anyway?" Kong Zhi was a bit worried seeing Evan Yang so curious about the outdated King of Alchemy.

"It's nothing. Let's go," Evan Yang said with a smile.

So the two continued on toward Herb Immortal Sect on Herbstar.

Herb Immortal Sect occupied a huge stretch of mountains across the entire planet, so you could see buildings perched atop every major peak.

These buildings weren't densely packed, but spaced out at intervals across the landscape.

"Herb Immortal Sect has lots of people and lots of buildings, and different groups occupy different areas," Kong Zhi explained to Evan Yang, who was puzzled.

Evan Yang listened and gradually understood, until they finally reached the main gate of Herb Immortal Sect.

The main gate was formed by two mountains, making for an awe-inspiring sight.

"Definitely impressive," Evan Yang remarked, seeing a giant stone spanning the two mountain ridges, with three vivid characters carved into it.

Just as Evan Yang finished speaking, a man appeared before the two, as if he'd been lurking in the shadows for a long time.

Seeing two strangers, the man asked, "What are you here for?"

Kong Zhi replied, "We're here to buy medicinal herbs."

"Then follow me," the man said, hearing they had come to purchase herbs.

On the way, Kong Zhi explained to Evan Yang that people often came to Herb Immortal Sect to buy medicinal herbs, and most of the ingredients he needed could likely be found here. So, he suggested they look around and pick what they needed.

Evan Yang nodded and followed Kong Zhi's lead, trailing after the man along the path between the two mountain ranges. After walking several hundred meters, they reached the back of the mountains, where densely packed buildings appeared, almost like a marketplace.

"This is where we Herb Immortal Sect buy and sell medicinal herbs. Go ahead," the man said to Evan Yang and Kong Zhi, then left on his own.

"Let's go," Kong Zhi said.

Evan Yang saw that the place was like a cluster of buildings surrounded by mountains, each with its own name—often named after medicinal herbs.

Besides Evan Yang and Kong Zhi, there were others shopping for herbs, wandering among the buildings as if picking out ingredients.

"Let's find someone to ask," Kong Zhi said, seeing the huge complex and unsure where Evan Yang's needed herbs would be.

The two approached the nearest Herb Immortal Sect disciple. "Is there a way to find out which building has the herbs we need?"

The disciple handed Kong Zhi a wooden tablet. "This records all the herbs in detail, along with which building they're stored in."

Kong Zhi took the tablet, glanced at it, and then handed it to Evan Yang, saying, "That's pretty considerate."

Evan Yang glanced over the tablet and found that most of the ingredients for the Ten-Thousand-Year Lifespan Pill could be found here, but two were nowhere to be seen.

"Still missing two," Evan Yang said, frowning.

"Which ones?" Kong Zhi asked.

"Ten-Thousand-Year Icecrawler Herb, which grows in cold places, and Dragon-Nether Grass, which grows in regions filled with baleful energy," Evan Yang replied. He had seen these herbs in the Dan Classic, so he knew their habitats.

"Wait here, I'll ask again," Kong Zhi said after thinking for a moment.

Evan Yang nodded. Kong Zhi then asked the Herb Immortal Sect disciple, "Brother, do you happen to have Ten-Thousand-Year Icecrawler Herb or Dragon-Nether Grass here?"

"I'm not sure about that. You can go to that building—the one at the very top. There's a senior from our sect there; ask him and you'll find out," the disciple replied.

Kong Zhi thanked him, then said to Evan Yang, "It should be that building, the one right at the top."

"Alright, let's get the other herbs ready first, then go ask," Evan Yang nodded.

So the two went to gather the rest of the herbs. Luckily, those ingredients weren't too expensive, and Evan Yang could afford them.

After quickly settling the purchases, Evan Yang said, "Let's go to that building."

"Alright," Kong Zhi nodded.

The two headed toward the building.

When they reached the entrance, they heard a commotion inside.

Curious, they walked in and saw an elder arguing with several men.

As Evan Yang entered, everyone turned to look at him and Kong Zhi.

The elder glanced at Evan Yang and then turned away, but the men eyed Evan suspiciously. One even asked, "Are you the newly promoted Violet Seventh-Tier genius from the Genius Pavilion?"

Evan Yang hadn't expected these people to recognize him, but given his reputation, it was only natural some would. He nodded, "That's me."

The elder, hearing their conversation, curiously sized up Evan Yang. Violet Seventh-Tier geniuses from the Genius Pavilion were always a cut above, with a unique aura.

"We're from Alchemy Sacred Mountain. We heard you used a Hidden Dragon Elixir at the Fenn estate, so our Saint Hand wants to meet you. We couldn't find you, but now we just happened to run into you here—what luck," the man who'd asked earlier said with a smile.

"Alchemy Sacred Mountain?" Evan Yang had just learned that Alchemy Sacred Mountain had a feud with the Old Beggar. If he went along with them, he'd be opposing the Old Beggar, so he already had a negative impression.

"Never heard of it?" the man asked, seeing Evan Yang's doubtful look.

"I've heard of it, but the Hidden Dragon Elixir was something I got by chance. As for your Saint Hand, I don't have time right now—maybe later," Evan Yang replied bluntly, refusing the invitation.

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His words made the men's faces darken. The Alchemy Saint Hand was a revered figure to them, and someone refusing to show respect was unheard of. If Evan Yang were just a normal person, they would have acted, but as a Violet Seventh-Tier genius—and with other witnesses—they held back.

Kong Zhi also spoke up, "Please forgive us, gentlemen. We have urgent business right now."

The men glanced at Kong Zhi, who released a powerful aura, startling them. They could only snort and turn away. One man said to the elder, "About what we discussed earlier, please make sure to collect the herbs. If the Saint Hand is displeased, we can't bear the blame."

After giving Evan Yang and Kong Zhi a glare, the group left.

The elder was left fuming, "They're bullying us too much."

"Senior," Evan Yang greeted respectfully.

Knowing Evan Yang was a Violet Seventh-Tier genius, the elder calmed himself and asked, "What brings the Genius Pavilion to our Herb Immortal Sect?"

"Senior, I'd like to ask if Herb Immortal Sect has Ten-Thousand-Year Icecrawler Herb or Dragon-Nether Grass," Evan Yang asked.

The elder looked at Evan Yang suspiciously and replied, "Are you planning to refine the Ten-Thousand-Year Lifespan Pill?"

Evan Yang and Kong Zhi were surprised.

"Senior, you know about that too?" Evan Yang said, impressed.

"Herb Immortal Sect doesn't just collect and cultivate herbs—we also hold some precious pill recipes. The Ten-Thousand-Year Lifespan Pill formula your Genius Pavilion guards, we have it as well," the elder replied.

"I see. So does Herb Immortal Sect have them?" Evan Yang asked curiously.

"We don't have Dragon-Nether Grass, but we do have one mature Ten-Thousand-Year Icecrawler Herb plant. However, even that is about to be gone," the elder replied.

"Why?" Evan Yang asked, puzzled.

"You saw it yourself earlier—the Sacred Mountain envoys want the Icecrawler Herb for another pill, but we haven't agreed yet," the elder explained.

"They want this herb too?" Evan Yang asked in surprise.

"Yes. They often come here for rare herbs. I wasn't willing earlier, so they argued with me—truly infuriating," the elder said, recalling the incident.

"Why is that?" Evan Yang wondered if the Ten-Thousand-Year Icecrawler Herb was off-limits or something else, and why the elder was so angry.

"Herb Immortal Sect always preserves seed stock for herbs. If we only have one of a kind, we keep it as a seed to cultivate more. But those envoys said their need was urgent, refused to wait, and insisted on taking our only mature plant," the elder said indignantly.

"How many years does it take to cultivate Ten-Thousand-Year Icecrawler Herb?" Evan Yang asked, puzzled.

"At least ten thousand years to reach full potency. We're cultivating new ones, but even after many years, it takes a thousand years to harvest ten seedlings. Yet they insist on taking the mature plant, leaving only the immature ones for us," the elder explained.

"Ten thousand years?" Evan Yang exclaimed.

"That's for ordinary cultivation in a cold environment. If you add certain ingredients or growth accelerants, it can mature faster," the elder said.

"Growth accelerants?" Evan Yang muttered, then asked curiously, "Senior, would it be possible to sell me a seedling?"

"What? Are you here to make unreasonable demands like them?" the elder snapped, angered by Evan Yang's request.

"Senior, you've misunderstood. I meant the immature one," Evan Yang said with a smile.

"The immature one?" The elder calmed down upon hearing Evan Yang's words.

"That's right, the immature plant," Evan Yang nodded.

"That can be arranged, but the price is at least ten million top-grade crystal sources," the elder said.

"That's no problem. When can I see it?" Evan Yang asked with a smile.

"Wait until tonight. But be prepared—if you forcefully move an immature plant, its medicinal properties may decline," the elder replied.

"Understood," Evan Yang nodded.

Seeing that Evan Yang was considerate, the elder relaxed and started chatting with him. The more they talked, the more they hit it off, since Evan Yang was an alchemist and naturally knew a lot about herbs—though neither the elder nor Kong Zhi realized this.